Virtual reality devices may be used to measure and modify Gene Expression!

A Virtual Reality company located in Victoria BC Canada, ThisIsMeInVR,specializes in finding innovative new uses for the latest technologies. They combine Virtual Reality, 360 Motion capture cameras and BioSynth genetic technologies to advance their research on Tech and Biology.

They’ve done some remarkable things already, such as turning a webpage into a virtual world that you can Teleport around in,( this innovation has the potential to redefine how people surf the internet)and creating some unique 360 VR experiences such as being licked by a 60ft tall puppy, or being shrunken down to miniature size

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These experiences that can be found on their web Portal or YouTube Channel with over 250 videos filmed in 360 format for viewing in VR devices. (click here if that’s new info to you to you)

Frankly, the best is yet to come.

BIOHACKING

Through a collaborative 5 year research project, on Environmental Immersion, a book has been completed and is now being produced as an amateur virtual reality tv (360vr) series on YouTube called Spheres of Influence.) During this process, they’ve figured out how use 360VR technology as a tool to measure and perhaps even modify gene expression. (this effect is known as epigenetic modification, and now combined with vr may evolve into yet another field : Percepigenetics or or SynthBioTech )

With funding and more research headed in this area, together as a species, we are about to take the next step in human evolution. Giving humanity yet another tool to modify our own adaptation to this rapidly changing world.

When funded ThisIsMeInVR will use rapid genetic testing and 360VR technology to map the DNA methylation process by which methyl groups are added to DNA by perceived environmental triggers. This is similar to the mapping of the human genome, but instead they hope to map the epigenetic effects of environmental influence.

“Virtual reality being used as a tool to suppress or activate Genes within the human body. That’s like Crispr gene modification, without the splicing!” — random person

Another benefit of this project is that it would also help to develop an understanding of the unintended consequences of Virtual reality immersion on the human body. Psychological and physiological preventative measures can start to be developed to minimize risks. In this brave new world.

This Is Me In VR is working on developing a framework for measuring these effects and making that database available to biologists and developers to enable the modification of genetic expression by choice, and provide safe and low risk Virtual Reality experiences.

for more info on epigenetic influence please read

Epigenetics - how the environment influences our genes
The science behind a rapid paradigm shift When the first human genome was decoded, popular thinking went: "If we know…www.lindau-nobel.org

It may be Virtual, but the risks are reality

by JM & TC @ ThisIsMeInVR.com

Entering into digital environments using virtual reality viewers can be an intense, emotional experience. Technology has progressed so rapidly that near-complete immersion can be achieved. Many of our senses can now be “hijacked” sufficiently enough to fool the mind into believing the reality that we are presented with. V.R. programs are designed to do just that, to enhance the immersiveness of the experience via vivid visual graphics, surround audio, and haptic feedback. Despite the many opportunities these innovations may bring, such immersive technology is not without its own set of concerns.

People are embracing Virtual Reality experiences like swimming with sharks, riding roller coasters, and skydiving because they are convinced that Virtual Reality is a way of experiencing those things risk free. Skydiving without having to risk the hard landing, swimming with sharks without the risks of being eaten or drowning etc. It’s the thrill without the threat. In real life, costs, travel, and safety are factors that limit how frequently these experiences can be had and who has access to them. These limitations no longer apply in VR. Age restrictions and star ratings for VR experiences and games do not consider these factors. Nor do they consider that when real life restrictions (such as height and weight on a roller coaster) become irrelevant, safety concerns should not be ignored. At the moment, seemingly, the only concerns being addressed before entering a virtual reality world (via VR goggles) is to establish a clear area so that participants can move around freely without knocking anything or anyone over (ex, HTC Vive). These are the only basic measures taken to protect you from accidental harm. We should also be taking steps to protect the mind from harm.

As a certified clinical Hypnotherapist I, (TC) have noticed important similarities between a person’s virtual experience and their experience during a hypnotherapy session. In a hypnotherapy session the client’s imagination is used to create an immersive experience that is ultimately facilitated by a trained professional. Hypnotherapy is effective because it uses guided visualizations and directed meditation to help an individual reach a goal, or overcome fears, anxieties, or trauma. Before beginning any “intervention” in a session, a hypnotherapist creates a safe and comfortable physical, mental and emotional environment for the client. Reminding them that they are in control, that they can accept or decline suggestions provided, and they can establish distance in the session at any time if they feel the need to do so. These similarities brought me to consider how virtual reality is a vivid simulation that is comparable to our imagination, and that V.R. may benefit from existing methods for creating safe mental and emotional environments. Emotional states should be considered of paramount importance when it comes to virtual reality, as intense experiences can have lasting impacts on consumer adoption.

As when working with a client in a hypnotherapy session, first experiences, particularly for children, should include simple audio scripts to introduce the experience. These scripts can also serve as a preparatory measure instilling some safe-guards as well as suggesting a “safety-bubble” to help users filter out moments that may be particularly upsetting. For example, reminding users that this is a virtual experience as opposed to a real one is necessary because there is a part of you (your subconscious) that may believe it to be true unless these precautions are taken. It is also helpful to provide instructions as to what they can do if the experience becomes more intense than what they are comfortable with, so that they can smoothly exit the experience. Recommended, is an Exit script which slowly brings the individual out of the Virtual Experience and debriefs them on what just took place. This may prevent issues that may arise with long term use of this fantastically powerful technology.

Sample scripts for a safe Virtual Experience

For entering the virtual experience: “Welcome to virtual reality. If you move your head around in all directions you will notice this virtual environment is all around you; however real it may seem, keep in mind that you are in fact in a safe space (for example in your living room, or office). You cannot be harmed through this experience and at any time you can exit this environment by closing your eyes or removing the goggles.”

To exit the virtual experience: “I hope…you enjoyed this virtual experience. Give yourself a moment or two to take a few deep breaths in and out as you will shortly be removing the goggles, and as you do so I recommend tapping or touching the chair that you are on and just slowly getting yourself re-acquainted with your real life environment, and other people who may be present. “

Transitions: As you may have noticed the above sample scripts emphasizevirtual, as opposed to real. They also add a level of “padding” and preparation so that entering and exiting virtual reality isn’t a shock in any way to the individual. Abrupt changes in the experience can be shocking and contribute to potential trauma or discomfort. Foreshadowing an event like teleporting and using slow transitions between experiences is ideal, this process is also known as acclimatization, a way of preparing the mind for what is to come to reduce shock. Even the specific “wording” of the sentences is quite important in assisting cognitive transitions, as the programming of the mind is done through language. The fields of N.L.P. and hypnotherapy emphasize language-based tools that can be used effectively in this regard.

Until we know the ramifications and unintended consequences of VR technology, such as the Epigenetic effects, any and all precautions should be taken. Entrance and Exits should be built-in for all VR experiences, especially those designed for children. Currently, the rating system is designed for reducing nausea not long term emotional effects and there are few introductory or debriefing scripts integrated into VR experiences to reduce stress or prevent trauma. If society is going to adopt VR technology, they need to enjoy it and it needs to be safe. They need to know, on some level (subconsciously) that it won’t cause long term harm. It can take only one intensely unpleasant experience to form a powerful negative (conditioned) response. The people doing Virtual Reality demonstrations should be aware this. It is their responsibility to manage these risks. Individuals in this industry are typically specialists in technology, software development, and computer engineering. It would be beneficial if morecounselling psychologists andtherapists were involved, particularly those trained in hypnosis, an area that specializes in the inner workings of the subconscious mind.

The advances of this technology are so rapid that we can expect that soon VR devices will have sensors that monitor brain wave activity, heart rate, and cortisol levels in the blood in order to monitor a user’s stress levels. Perhaps, a built in safety feature that automatically, or on demand, (and slowly) shuts the system off when critical thresholds are reached (for example the warning that already takes place with head phones and dangerously high volume levels). Until then, it is our social responsibility to apply rudimentary preventative measures based on existing knowledge such as the effects of stress on our body and long-term health or our understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD being a state that can occur from repeated or prolonged exposure to a perceived life threatening situation. Currently, VR has been looked at as a treatment for PTSD, but with VR becoming more immersive it is necessary that we take precautions to prevent it from causing PTSD.

This is new and exciting technology. It has the potential to alter the way we interact with, and share experiences in, our world; yet it also has the potential to harm us in ways we do not yet understand. Let’s apply reasonable caution, and ensure it enhances our quality of life rather than endangering it. Virtual Reality can help improve education, therapy, and medicine, but it must be done correctly and with care, or the implications could be devastating despite our good intentions.

T. L. Caruso (TLC). RcH, B.A. Linguistics.

J.M. Communications and Innovation specialist

Both researchers and Writers of subconscious influence, perception, immersion and virtual reality. Both are 360 video Content Creators for www.ThisIsMeInVR.com

References:

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. (2014, September 18). How stress tears us apart: Enzyme attacks synaptic molecule, leading to cognitive impairment.ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 9, 2016 fromhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140918091418.htm

Wtf ?!? Where am I? Waking up in VR

by Zen at This is Me in VR.com

Waking up in VR. Do not try this at home.

I’ve been researching environmental immersion for 5 years, and now, with my own virtual Reality viewers (and 360 recording devices), I’ve been able to experiment.

The first unusual experiment: I took a nap while wearing my Virtual Reality Viewers to learn about how it interacts with the mind upon waking in VR. My first awakening? The avengers mansion. At first I was quite confused. My first thoughts were, “Did I get really drunk last night? Where the hell am I? How did I get here? Is this a dream” In those early stages my first reaction, when presented with an unusual environment upon waking, was to assume it was real, and try to make sense of how I got there. Those first times, when i tried to rub the sleep out of my eyes I immediately feel the goggles and realize fairly quickly that it was a VR experience still running. (The time between was relatively short, measured in seconds, but could be increased using better equipment but overall the effect decreased over time.)

It certainly is an interesting few seconds though, the feeling is hard to describe and certainly isn’t discussed so I thought I’d experiment with this a bit more. I spent the next few months staying up as late as I could, until I could barely stay awake, then would load up a VR experience so that I could see what happens when you wake in VR in various environments. I’m fairly good at waking myself up, if I drift-off, this enabled repeated trials in cgi digital, 360 and 3d360 videos.

I’ve woken in virtual environments of just about every type available. I’ve woken up all over the world and even on mars. I’ve woken up in a website. I’ve woken up Face to face with myself (a recorded 360 message $ even LIVE). I’ve also been recording many of my life’s moments in 360 so that I could try waking in past events, the results? Confusing life with memories.

I learned quite a few things from these experiments, for example: the more senses are used; visual , audio and haptic, when entering into those environments, the more intense the transition experiences are. I must caution you to not try this at home. After a short while, I did noticed quite a few side effects. The first was that when waking on regular non-VR days my brain took a few seconds longer to process where I was, and if it was real. I also noticed a change in how I watch regular TV , I have noticed and an increased aversion to (shaky cam) motion in regular Film. I’ve notice a Stark increase in my ability to visualize and imagine something when asked. I’ve also noticed when watching a regular video on a mobile device my first reaction is to move it around to test if it is a 360 video (that could be because my R.A.S. watches out for opportunities to sample new VR experiences). Even the lens through which I see the world, seems to have changed.

The technology has progressed so rapidly that near-complete immersion can be achieved, because of this, I have memories and dreams of places I’ve only been virtually. How I speak to my friends about my day’s activities often sounds surreal and bizarre. This is because many of our senses can now be “hijacked” sufficiently enough to fool my subconscious mind into believing the reality that we are presented with. I have friends that I remember as avatars in altspace or vtime, because i’ve never seen their real bodies, but i’ve become familiar with their body language. (head movements). I have memories of photographing elephants in Africa, because while in a 360VR app i wandered around taking screenshots. To me, in a way, I was there doing it. My vocabulary expresses my beliefs, its weird trying to explain your activities. “IN VR “ or “IRL” seems to be a necessary corrector for my speech now.

Virtual Reality programs are designed to enhance the impressiveness of the experience via vivid visual graphics and surround audio, low levels of and haptic feedback can be simply achieved by matching the environment. For example: whatever I was on, soft couch, or floor, was set to match the VR environment. For a forest, i placed a bamboo plant nearby, to simulate a beach i sat in a box of sand. I definitely learned that increased immersion has increased effects, on everything from waking state reaction to rate of development of imagination and visualization skills.

Despite the many opportunities these innovations may bring, such immersive technology is probably not without its own set of concerns. It shares some similarities with over active imagination, hallucinations, and schizophrenic behaviors. These similarities brought me to consider how virtual reality is a vivid simulation that is comparable to our imagination, and that V.R. may benefit from existing methods for creating safe mental and emotional environments of which you can exit from at any time, and can be removed from when necessary. This must be achieved before we intend to create relaxing VR sleeping apps (which may be many years from now.)

For now I believe that first experiences, particularly for children, should be monitored and include simple audio scripts to instill some mental safe-guards as well as suggesting a “safety-bubble” to help users filter out moments that may be particularly upsetting. “You are safe, this isn’t real, you can exit anytime” This may prevent issues that may arise with long term use of this fantastically powerful technology. Until we know the ramifications and unintended consequences of VR technology, such as the Epigenetic effects, any and all precautions should be taken. It would be beneficial if more counselling psychologists and therapists were involved in research and experimentation, particularly those trained in hypnosis, an area that specializes in the inner workings of the subconscious mind.

The advances of this technology are so rapid that we can expect that soon VR devices will have sensors that monitor brain wave activity, heart rate, and cortisol levels in the blood in order to monitor a user’s stress levels. Perhaps, a built in safety feature that automatically, or on demand, (and slowly) shuts the system off when critical thresholds are reached (for example the warning that already takes place with head phones and dangerously high volume levels). A system that shuts down your VR device if it detects that you’ve fallen asleep. Until then, it is our social responsibility to apply rudimentary preventative measures based on existing knowledge such as the effects of stress on our body and long-term health or our understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD being a state that can occur from repeated or prolonged exposure to a perceived life threatening situation. Currently, VR has been looked at as a treatment for PTSD, but with VR becoming more immersive it is necessary that we take precautions to prevent it from causing any type of stress.

This is new and exciting technology. It has the potential to alter the way we interact with, and share experiences in, our world; yet it also has the potential to harm us in ways we do not yet understand. Let’s apply reasonable caution, and ensure it enhances our quality of life rather than endangering it. Virtual Reality can help improve education, therapy, and medicine, but it must be done correctly and with care, or the implications could be devastating despite our good intentions.

For more VR innovations check out my YouTube Channel and Website Beta links.

360 video kills privacy & creates serious security risks.

Your Business and privacy are at risk, but there are steps that can be taken.

With the latest Camera technology (known as 360 camera filmography), you can record or live stream, a moment of time , a wedding, a concert, a sporting event, your baby’s first step, a secure location or even a job site. Anything. Then using Virtual Reality devices (using your PC or mobile cell phone and GearVR or cardboard V.R (5–100$) you can relive that moment again, or be there LIVE (digitally).

You see, when you put on the VR viewers you become the camera that was recording or streaming and can be “present” in that location. This is world changing news, if any of this is new information to you, you’re way behind in technology innovation news and should watch the tutorials at www.ThisIsMeInVR.com

So, with that knowledge in mind, some questions about security and privacy invariably pop up.

(To Access the 360 video links in your PC or mobile device and be sure to set the resolution to highest. They are best viewed through YouTube so if needed, click the three dots at the top right and “Open in YouTube app”. To truly enjoy them to their fullest, I suggest sitting in a swivel chair so you can rotate around and look at everything.) OR alternately use the Enabler app OR a VR web browser such as : Samsung VR net browser to accesss YouTube videos on your GearVR.

For job site or security cameras the upgrade allows TelePresence monitoring, Employers can check in on their staff in restaurants, construction sites etc which is a fantastic safety tool, but when used by unknown persons in your private areas they can pose a potentially security breach. Perhaps some locations should ban the use of 360 cameras. Banks, Government institutions, museums, theaters, military bases, and casinos until more research is completed on the implications of virtual presence in private locations.

Private casino capture (security test)

On the other hand with the technology becoming mainstream, 360 captures will start taking place everywhere, in public spaces, and due to the nature of the spherical capture, few people are aware they are being recorded. The all encompassing nature of these devices means that there will be less and less areas to hide if you wish to remain out of photographs. Facial recognition technology, when combined with 360 capture may eliminate the last vestige of anonymity in public areas. Perhaps until consumer awareness is developed, those capturing with 360 cameras should carry a sign stating ( you are being recorded) so as to not infringe on peoples right to knowing when theyre actions are being documented.

Public capture of 360

Technological developments are accelerating, they bring great promise to improve our lives in many ways, but they are not without risks and dangers. Personally I love 360VR tech, I just think we shouldn’t blindly embrace it without considering the possible negative ramifications. It may be time to discuss these Before the issues begin to arise. At the very least consider covering up 360 and VR cameras (or sensors) when not in use.

for more risk Research visit: Facebook Risks-and-Benefits-of-Virtual-Reality-AR

Zen @ ThisIsMeInVR.com